A weekend in Amsterdam for couples

A weekend in Amsterdam for couples

by | Feb 27, 2018 | Autumn and winter in Europe, Beautiful destinations, Europe, Rooftop and views, Rooftop vlogs, Travel blogger destinations, Travel vlog

How lucky we are in London to be so close to some of the world’s coolest cities, and be able to set up time away, like a weekend in Amsterdam, just across the water.

We’ve discovered some of the very best experiences in Amsterdam that you can take advantage of on a weekend city break – have a read for our itinerary.

A weekend in Amsterdam for couples

Amsterdam is a city with a reputation.

While we did discover the best place to get high (above the city, you cheeky things), on our recent winter weekend in Amsterdam for couples city-break, we fell a little more in love … with the city, too.

A weekend in Amsterdam - Over the Edge

 

Winter in Amsterdam can be a little harsh, as we experienced in the pitch black at 6pm on Saturday night.

We pushed slowly against the wind, hail slapping us hard in the face as we pressed one slow step at a time forward along the side of a bicycle highway towards our hotel.

There was a very real concern that someone wouldn’t see us among the construction and the weather and knock us down.

A weekend in Amsterdam - Bols cocktail experience

 

At the end of the shortcut we’d naively taken along the waterfront towards Aitana Amsterdam, I felt quite exhilarated about surviving. I couldn’t help but relate to the scene in Clueless where Cher, Dion and Murray are able to pull over safely after a brush with death-by-Californian-highway.

To be honest though, the weather was about the same as London in terms of chill factor, and if you’re rugged-up, winter in Amsterdam for a traveller is just fine!

The other bonus about this time of year is that you can secure lovely accommodation for a fraction of the price it is in summer, and the city isn’t as busy either (although I wouldn’t say it was quiet).

A weekend in Amsterdam - museums and stately homes

 

A weekend in Amsterdam for couples: best travel experiences (especially in the winter)

I’ll address the elephant in the room now – yes, you can buy weed here, it’s well-known for that.

But, Amsterdam is so much more than some of it’s seedier (sorry…) areas, although no judgement there!

 

Amsterdam is full of all sorts of fun – and it’s just so beautiful, interesting, chic, delicious, as you’ll see in our vlog below…

 

We featured a few tips in a previous blog on Amsterdam here.

A weekend in Amsterdam - Reypenaer cheese tasting in the city

 

Once you’re done with the tourist area, may we suggest wandering the neighbourhoods around the city’s popular shopping precinct near De Negen Straatjes (‘The Nine Little Streets’).

Tourist information centres can point you in the right direction.

There’s a neat blog on Amsterdam shopping areas here that might be helpful, but always ask a local for advice.

A weekend in Amsterdam - Bols sensory experience

 

Getting high (on life)

In the first instance, we can’t recommend highly enough the I Amsterdam City Card – we have used it twice on visits to the city and it’s excellent value for money, including transport and entry to most attractions, a free canal ride and discounts in many stores.

Discover more and buy yours here 

A weekend in Amsterdam - get around using the I Amsterdam city card

 

There’s SO much to do in Amsterdam that while a winter weekend (or spring, autumn, summer) is amazing, there’s never enough time, even though this is a little city.

Every time we go we discover more that we love, and more we want to do.

A weekend in Amsterdam - Over the Edge highest swing in Europe

 

Our top travel experiences: a weekend in Amsterdam

Yes, it’s quite cold in the wintertime, but we didn’t find it any worse than London.

Same clothing rules apply: layer, wear a waterproof and warm jacket, hat, scarf, gloves, warm socks and comfortable shoes for walking.

Our winter weekend in Amsterdam itinerary included indoor options though, because you do need a little respite from the cold. That said, all of this is awesome to do at any time of year.

 

We’ve featured it all in our special vlog, but in summary our top travel experiences for a weekend in Amsterdam for couples include:

  1. The delicious and fabulous one-hour cheese and wine tasting at Reypenaer Cheese
  2. Learn about Amsterdam’s interesting history through its national drink, Genever, and a cool sensory experience at the House of Bols (with free cocktail!)
  3. Step back in time to discover how the wealthy set lived (this was an incredibly rich city and important trading port just a few centuries ago) by exploring one of the mansions open to the public with the past on display. We enjoyed Museum Van Loon

  4. A canal cruise, included with your I Amsterdam City Card, or hop on board one of the many options available when you arrive in town – day, evening, dining – whatever takes your pleasure. But do definitely see Amsterdam from the water!
  5. Then see the city from the opposite perspective at A’DAM Lookout, which features restaurants, bars, a panoramic sky deck and Europe’s highest swing (and a disco elevator to the heavens, that’s fun!).

 

A weekend in Amsterdam - Reypenaer cheese tasting in Amsterdam is a must

 

Do you have questions or tips of your own? Do let us know in the comments.

Amsterdam is one of our very favourite cities so we’d love to have a conversation with you about it… you can find us on social media too.

 

God’s Own Junkyard – the best of secret London

God’s Own Junkyard – the best of secret London

by | Feb 3, 2018 | Expats explore London, Explore London (vlogs), Travel blogger destinations, United Kingdom

When Cooper said he was taking me to Walthamstow to explore a cool London secret he’d heard about called God’s Own Junkyard, well, I thought he’d slightly lost the plot!

But, as it turns out, this place is extraordinary. Housed in an unassuming warehouse, the immense collection of neon signs and vintage finds from old nightclubs, bars, film sets and abandoned stores really lights you up. It’s fascinating. There’s a bar and cafe too.

Take a look around God’s Own Junkyard with us…

Do you know somewhere quirky and cool we should visit in London? Drop us a line in the comments below.

 

Embrace (don’t stress) over your dreams and goals

Embrace (don’t stress) over your dreams and goals

by | Feb 1, 2018 | Travel blogger destinations, Travel Live Learn in the media

It was late one afternoon last week when a friend and colleague, Erika, popped over to my desk to have a chat. Bright and bubbly, full of fun dreams and goals, I enjoy her visits, tea in hand and the promise of gossip in her eyes.

I knew she’d had a tough month where some of those aforementioned dreams and goals had been rocked, predominantly because of the insensitive actions of a boy who did not deserve her affection.

Dreams and goals – careful of comparison

In her usual style, she wandered over to me with a warm smile, perched on my desk and commenced with a monologue about how she saw herself, saying she’d been thinking a lot lately about how by now she should be ‘more successful and further ahead in her life and career’.

I objected, not just on the grounds that I’m her friend, but because of my own burning question: ‘What is the definition of being ahead?’

Is your life goals list making you miserable? Find out how to let that go

Predictably the response involved comparisons to what fellow university graduates from the recent class of 201…? are doing, and her reflections on the aforementioned relationship that went cold.

As someone (vaguely) older looking at her situation, I’ve seen Erika secure an excellent job in a respected business where she started working as a temp; she impressed people personally and professionally, put in a lot of hard work and has in a short space of time developed into a PR pro. She learns every day, as we all do, but continues to ride the wave gracefully.

I believe Erika’s story is impressive. For her to tell me she feels disappointed about the success that I can see clearly, well, I had to give her a loving nudge! Aside from the proud job situation, she’d also completed a Master’s degree in the past year, and diligently dealt with personal life challenges.

With age arguably comes wisdom, and I’m going to stick with that logic. I shared with Erika that from my perspective there are two important things you can use to ‘measure your success’: how happy you are, and your ability to cover expenses. Yes, if these elements need to be addressed, then do so! But when all was said and done, Erika admitted she’s happy, and can cover her rent plus purchase wine on the weekend.

‘Success’ at any age is not about comparison to what your friends are doing.

Social media poses a problem for many on this front, and if you relate, switch if off for a while. If we did the same thing at the same time as our contemporaries, would we necessarily love life? No.

In my humble view, success is being happy. It is simple. It is your gratitude for life and acceptance of choices.

It is not ‘how far ahead you are’ – whatever that is supposed to mean.

Someone said to me not so long ago that I should be further ahead in my career. While I respect their opinion, that view is narrow. Granted, it is one that is still understood by a wide range of education, media, and corporate types, but it’s not relevant, especially in 2018.

I’m incredibly proud of everything I’ve done – the cool, the crazy, the difficult, the brave moves that have meant my ‘career’ path has not been linear. Confidently I declare that it’s been liberating and exciting and varied.

I’ve been happy. And I pay my debts, just like a Lannister (apologies, couldn’t resist).

So, I write to “Erika” here, that aspirations are amazing and reveal passion and drive, things I stand for in life.

Go after what lights you up; but turn comparison and an immediate feeling that you want more, into intention. This will bring awesome things to you in good time.

For now live in the moment, embrace it. Think about what life presently holds that you love, nurture that, and you’ll get ahead for sure.

How do you see it? Share in the comments

 

Originally published in the February 2018 issue of Get it Magazine, getit-magazine.com.au